Those pesky food cravings. Whether for sugar, carbs, or just unhealthy food we all get them and we all struggle to fight against them.
Anyone who tells you otherwise is the most disciplined person alive or is lying because who doesn’t crave chocolate or French fries at least occasionally?
Luckily, one of the easiest ways to fight against these cravings is to turn towards healthy alternatives. And against popular belief, there are tons of healthy and equally satisfying snacks you can have that aren’t terrible for you.
Here’s our list of the best snacks to satisfy any craving.
Stay Away from Salty Carbs
We often turn towards potato chips or French fries when we are craving a salty snack. But these are high in both fat and calories and are easy to binge eat. Instead, try these salty and satisfying options.
Lightly Salted Popcorn
Popcorn is a great snack to help you avoid chips. It’s low calorie, low fat, and has a lot of fiber.
Popcorn can also be seasoned with a variety of things to suit your taste needs and give you that satisfying crunch.
Mixed Nuts
Nuts, like almonds, cashews, or peanuts, are a healthy and easy snack. They contain healthy fat, protein, and fiber and are very filling.
Nuts are also linked to the reduction of heart disease.
Dried Seaweed Snacks
If you are searching for a thin and chip-like alternative, seaweed snacks are a perfect choice.
They are paper-thin, crunchy, and salty like your favorite bag of Lays but with none of the guilt. An entire 6-ounce package contains only 30 calories.
Edamame
This boiled bean makes for a yummy and nutrient-packed snack. High in protein and fiber, edamame is also easy to make and can be dipped in soy sauce for the perfect solution to your salty craving.
Make-At-Home Potato Chips
If you are set on getting in your potato fix, try to make your chips at home. This will help you avoid additives and can be a healthier alternative.
Take your potato of choice and thinly slice it. Place on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive or coconut oil and bake at 450 degrees for around 30 minutes.
Multigrain Wraps Or Flatbread With Hummus
Hummus is made from chickpeas, so it’s full of nutrition and can serve as a filling snack. Try eating it with multigrain wraps or flatbread depending on your preference.
If you are looking to cut out the carbs all together, try eating hummus with sliced peppers or carrots.
Corn Chips And Salsa
Although with this snack you are still eating corn chips if you find ones low in additives they can be healthy.
Add that in with some salsa or guacamole and you’ll be surprised at how full you will feel. Just remember to buy salsa that doesn’t have things like added sugar.
Beat The Sweet
Most people struggle with sugar cravings more so than any other craving. That’s because of sugars highly addictive quality.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to satisfy your sweet tooth with natural sugars that aren’t as bad for you.
Switch to Dark Chocolate
You’re probably heard this before, and that’s because it’s been a well-known milk chocolate alternative for decades. Dark chocolate is not only lower in calories and fat but it is also packed full of healthy antioxidants.
So making the slight change from a candy bar to a serving of dark chocolate makes a world of difference in your body.
Dried Fruit
Fruit is an excellent dessert substitute and dried fruit will have you feeling like your eating your favorite childhood gummies without any of the guilt.
It’s important, however, when buying dried fruit to be careful of added sugars. Click here to find more information on healthy dried fruit.
Protein Bars
If you are really craving a candy bar, consider opting for a protein bar instead. These will not only satisfy your craving, but they will also satisfy your appetite and keep you feeling fuller longer.
Frozen Yogurt
If you’re craving ice cream, instead go for frozen yogurt. This alternative is lower calories and lower in fat, and still delivers that creamy cold texture you’re looking for.
Be careful not to overindulge here though because often frozen yogurt is still relatively high in sugar. Add in some fresh fruit or granola to take this dessert to the next level.
Nice-Cream
This is an ice cream alternative loved by vegans everywhere. It’s easy to make and satisfies every ice cream craving.
Take some frozen bananas and blend them up with some almond milk and peanut butter or cocoa powder until you’ve reached the desired taste and texture. Not only is this low in sugar, but it’s also natural.
Fig Bars
If you’re craving cookies, try to opt for a snack like a fig bar or other fruit-based baked treat. Not only will these be lower in fat but they also have some nutritional value since they are made from fruit.
Angel Food Cake
Sometimes we want to have our cake and eat it too. And that can be hard if you’re trying to avoid fatty sweets and stay on the right track.
Angel food cake can help bridge the gap between saying no to cake altogether and still indulging occasionally. At just 80 calories a slice, it is a lighter and less fattening alternative than the traditional cake of choice.
Try Out These Healthy Alternatives
If you are trying to cut the cravings and get your diet back on the right track, try out a few or all these healthy alternatives.
Life is truly all about moderation, and with these snacks, you’ll be able to enjoy the flavors you love without the negative impact on your health.
For more articles like this, head to the health section of our blog!
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